Beyond the numbers: COVID-19 data miscommunication

Beyond the numbers: COVID-19 data miscommunication

Prof Giampiero Favato and Cristina Oliva, MD, explain how storytelling shapes health behaviours beyond the numbers. Here, we learn lessons from COVID-19 data miscommunication. The COVID-19 crisis brought to light the critical role of numbers in shaping our world, especially in times of emergency. Mathematical models became indispensable tools for governments, guiding them in making life-saving decisions like initiating lockdowns and halting non-essential services. The media frequently spotlighted these models, illustrating the virus’s rapid spread.